Columbia, SC- Chris Hunt (pictured) scored 14 points in the first half, and also finished the game with 14 points, but his points were significant enough to help the Lions pull off a 71-69 win against the Tigers of Benedict College, January 25, 2011, in Columbia, SC.

The first half of the SIAC contest was quite somber for the Tigers, as the Lions went into the locker room with a nine point lead. The Lions connected on 10 of 12 from the charity stripe, and only had a total of four team fouls. The Lions also took control of the boards, 25 to 16, to give them the advantage at halftime.

With the second 20:00 on the clock, the Lions came out and scored the first five points of the half, including a three pointer by Mario Jordan with only 15 seconds off of the clock. The Lions continued to build their momentum, and did not look back.

The Lions never gave the Tigers the lead, but Benedict continued to go to inside players, and managed to chip away at the lead and tie the game (67-67) each after the Tigers’ center, Marcus Goode connected on two free-throws with 1:53 remaining on the clock.

The Lions got the ball, and Tony Baker connected on a jumper to give the Lions a two point lead (69-67). Once again Marcus Goode for the Tigers got the ball, and connected on a lay-up to tie the game with less than 20 seconds remaining on the clock. The Lions got the ball, and everyone in the arena knew that with the ball in Geno Green’s hands that he would connect on his signature jump shot and the Lions would regain the lead again (71-69) with 0.9 seconds remaining on the clock. With that shot, Green finished the game with12 points and 10 rebounds.

Miraculously, with only 0.9 seconds remaining, and the ball under the Lion’s goal, the Tigers were able to inbound the ball, catch the ball, dribble the ball, and get a shot off that could have potentially tied the game for overtime play.

Good defense and offense by the Lions helped secure the win, and improve their overall record to 8-9; 8-8 in SIAC competition.

Marcus Goode led the way for the Tigers (9-5; 9-3 SIAC) with 21 points.

The Lions return to action Saturday, January 29, as they host Stillman College Tigers in Carter Gymnasium on the campus of Paine College. Game time is scheduled for 3:00 PM.